Well, my life is really busy atm so 2x a week is all I can fit in for Judo, tho I'd really like a 3rd day--if you can manage that 3rd day, imo, as a beginner you will be better off with a less elite (but still quality) instructor who just gives you more time on the mat.

he offers more than 2 classes a week (i believe 6 classes including some newaza only ones on the same day as normal judo class.) i don't have the pricing for the other options yet, so i didn't post them.

i am about to switch to more days/week tomorrow and will update when i get more info.

edit: 3x a week is $190/month.

note that i think anyone who wants to inquire about the rates should contact higashi sensei as the rates may change and i don't want to misrepresent them.

"Face punches are an essential character building part of a martial art. You don't truly love your children unless you allow them to get punched in the face." - chi-conspiricy
"When I was a little boy, I had a sailor suit, but it didn't mean I was in the Navy." - Mtripp on the subject of a 5 year old karate black belt
"Without actual qualifications to be a Zen teacher, your instructor is just another roundeye raping Asian culture for a buck." - Errant108
"Seriously, who gives a **** what you or Errant think? You're Asian males, everyone just ignores you, unless you're in a krotty movie." - new2bjj

Well, my life is really busy atm so 2x a week is all I can fit in for Judo, tho I'd really like a 3rd day--if you can manage that 3rd day, imo, as a beginner you will be better off with a less elite (but still quality) instructor who just gives you more time on the mat.

try the ymcahttp://www.nycjudo.com/
seriously, it has quality and its cheap
but $160 per month for 2 classes per week comes out to $20 per class and that is about normal in NYC

You only mention grappling, but the website says it offers Jujutsu and Karate.

yes, i also mentioned that as i don't take those classes, i cannot comment on them.

if you have questions about the other classes, you should contact higashi sensei, all i can comment on at present are the judo classes.

"Face punches are an essential character building part of a martial art. You don't truly love your children unless you allow them to get punched in the face." - chi-conspiricy
"When I was a little boy, I had a sailor suit, but it didn't mean I was in the Navy." - Mtripp on the subject of a 5 year old karate black belt
"Without actual qualifications to be a Zen teacher, your instructor is just another roundeye raping Asian culture for a buck." - Errant108
"Seriously, who gives a **** what you or Errant think? You're Asian males, everyone just ignores you, unless you're in a krotty movie." - new2bjj

He's also, I believe, Japanese, and the founder of the style, so if he wants to say soke then whatever.

I trained at the Kokushi Budo Institute back in the early 90s...Yup, Soke Higashi is the real deal in terms of jiujitsu, judo, karate, and aikido. Heck, I still remember seeing little Shintaro as a kid, probably no more than 5 or 6 years old...lol And now, he's a top Judo competitor? More power to him! Aside from his dad, his mom was at the time, a 5th degree black belt in Tomiki Aikido as well as a nidan in her husband's (assuming they're still married) style of Jiu-jitsu. Incidentally, I checked the website and Judo is now being taught four days a week.

Question Ming, I am currently looking to take up a martial art in NYC and am looking for some recommendations for places to train. I was looking into Sambo but had read somewhere that it may be wise to start with Judo to get the fundamentals down first. Additionally, I was thinking of taking one of the Chinese martial arts. Choy Li Fut or Xingyiquan caught my eye. However, I would be willing to explore a different route if the instruction was better in a different branch.

If you would not mind I would appreciate the input. There are a lot of options and I getting some input from someone with experience would be beneficial.

Question Ming, I am currently looking to take up a martial art in NYC and am looking for some recommendations for places to train. I was looking into Sambo but had read somewhere that it may be wise to start with Judo to get the fundamentals down first. Additionally, I was thinking of taking one of the Chinese martial arts. Choy Li Fut or Xingyiquan caught my eye. However, I would be willing to explore a different route if the instruction was better in a different branch.

If you would not mind I would appreciate the input. There are a lot of options and I getting some input from someone with experience would be beneficial.

the Judo program has been greatly expanded since i wrote that review. recently higashi sensei has handed over the Judo program to his son, shintaro, who has expanded the class schedule, and is offering more newaza classes. i suggest you check the schedule, and come check us out if the schedule works for you.

NY Combat Sambo is an amazing school, and i don't see a problem starting with Sambo, to be honest. steve is an amazing coach and wouldn't throw you to the sharks. To choose between Judo and Sambo, i would watch/take classes at both schools and see which appeals to you more.

Are you saying that in addition to Judo or Sambo, you also want to cross train in CMA at the same time? I would suggest that getting a base in grappling first would be a better idea (as someone who did exactly the opposite of that.)

Judo and Sambo are difficult enough to learn on their own, and take years to build up any sort of skill, even if you train hard and dedicate yourself to them.

as for CMA schools, I wouldn't waste my time anywhere that doesn't fight full contact on the lei tai in baltimore, or take sanda fights (do those even happen anymore in the US?)

hope that helps.

"Face punches are an essential character building part of a martial art. You don't truly love your children unless you allow them to get punched in the face." - chi-conspiricy
"When I was a little boy, I had a sailor suit, but it didn't mean I was in the Navy." - Mtripp on the subject of a 5 year old karate black belt
"Without actual qualifications to be a Zen teacher, your instructor is just another roundeye raping Asian culture for a buck." - Errant108
"Seriously, who gives a **** what you or Errant think? You're Asian males, everyone just ignores you, unless you're in a krotty movie." - new2bjj